YoungDon From United States, joined May 2001, 303 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 664 times:
Hello all,
OK, I have a not-so-unique problem. I am a senior in high school, and I'm trying to decide where to go to flight school in college. Here's my stats:
3.8 GPA.
Top quarter of class
From Texas, so I'm out of state for all of these schools.
1370 SAT
minority
I've applied at and been accepted at the following schools:
1. The Ohio State Univ.
2. Western Michigan Univ.
3. Purdue Univ.
4. Saint Louis Univ.
5. Hampton Univ.
6. University of Illinois
As far as scholarships go, they've been slow to come in, but I have received a full scholarship (less books) from Hampton, and I'm in the running for other scholarships from the other schools. While the amount of financial aid is probably the main issue when it comes to my choice of school, I want to choose a school that is well balanced and right for me. I've already visited Ohio State twice, WMU twice, and Purdue and SLU once. Out of those four I liked Ohio State the most and WMU a close second. Of course, this is only the school, without regard to the flight programs. I'm going to visit U of I this weekend for the Illinois Experience program and I'm visiting Hampton next week.
I would like anyone's and everyone's opinions on how I should go about choosing the schools mostly in regards to campus life and the flight programs. All the schools preach and say that their flight programs are the best, but I would like some objective opinions on the programs. The opinions of alumni and other people who have faced this choice are especially appreciated.
Jhooper From United States, joined Dec 2001, 6006 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 644 times:
Go to Texas A&M!!!! (sorry, I'm kinda biased here ) Granted, they don't have flight program, per se, aside from ROTC, but you'll have a great time! Get a degree in a broad-based subject and get your pilot's license through the Aggie Flying Club or the other flight school out at Easterwood Airport, and pay in-state tuition!
Last year 1,944 New Yorkers saw something and said something.
SidestickA320 From United States, joined Mar 2004, 13 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 588 times:
I would highly recommend the WMU flight school, not only for its structure but also for its instructors and location. West Michigan is a great place for flight training because of the variations in weather through the seasons, something you wouldn't get much of at a school in, say, Florida. The Battle Creek-based flight center shares a large field with few other occupants, including Duncan Aviation and the Air National Guard, and there are no commercial operations. Most of the instructors are graduates of the college and know how it operates. They've got a variety of aircraft that are very well maintained by the in-house mechanics (who also help teach the maintenance program) and availability is good too. The flight center has a great community atmosphere where you'll learn pretty much everyone's name. Classroom instruction is great also because every professor has a background in aviation, many with ATP certificates. Main campus life is great, there's always something going on.
The only bad things I can think of about WMU is that the 25-minute drive from main campus in Kalamazoo can be a bit annoying after a while, and most students don't start flying until their fourth or fifth semester. Otherwise, WMU is a great choice. I've been a student here for 4 years now and there's not a single thing I would change. As they say, they don't train pilots, they educate future captains. The education you get here is top-notch and I would recommend it over anyone. Good luck with your search and keep WMU in mind! http://www.wmich.edu/aviation/index.htm
Wmupilot From United States, joined Jan 2003, 1473 posts, RR: 9 Reply 4, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 556 times:
We just changed the program. All students start flying with in the first year I believe. The program change was just accepted by the FAA so it will most likely be started next year. Also we've moved a few of our 172s out to our Kalamazoo/Battle Creek (KAZO) facility. I believe that all freshmen based flying will be done out of there.
As SidestickA320 said, I would recommend WMU over any of the other schools that you have listed there. We are the best undergraduate aviation program in the country. Our flight team is second to none, we have brand new aircraft, C172s, Mooney's, Seminol's, Seneca's..a very top notch fleet. To add to the drawbacks, It's in Michigan. We aren't exactly known for our mild winters. So far this semester, 50% of our flight slot cancellations have been due to winter. This winter hasn't been nice to students. I've been enrolled in the program for 3 years and I haven't got any complaints about the facilities. If you have any furthur questions feel free to contact me through email or PM. Good luck!
Wmupilot From United States, joined Jan 2003, 1473 posts, RR: 9 Reply 6, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 547 times:
YoungDon..where in Houston are you from? A friend of mine, currently enrolled at WMU is from a city just south of Houston. Maybe she can help you with any questions as well, since you both are/were coming from the same area.
Pilotman52 From United States, joined Sep 2003, 51 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 534 times:
Hey YoungDon
I myself live in Michigan and am a senior and am going to Western next year. I've heard nothing but great things about its program. I am also a minority and Western is a school that emphasizes diversity, that is also one reason I'm going there.
LHcapt2007 From United States, joined Mar 2004, 235 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 535 times:
Whatever you do don't go to A&M(jk Gig em')!! Come to a private university that has its own 4 year Bachelor in Aviation Science and 2 year associates Degree in Pilot Training. You'll graduate with a bachelor, associates degree, Commercial License w/Instrument + Multi-engine rating and CFI/II and MEI(optional add-on). All in 4 years. Gotta be dedicated! Good CFI jobs at the large flight school with guaranteed students. Instructors currently being hired by Mesa, American Eagle, and other aviation jobs. It's a lot of fun at a beautiful university: Baylor University.
LHcapt2007
check it out here: http://www.baylor.edu/bias/index.php?id=112 http://www.theflightcollege.com
AZO From United States, joined Jun 2002, 758 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 501 times:
I am not in the flight school here, but I am a senior at WMU and have loved my experience here in Kalamazoo. Living on campus is definitely fun, and getting to know the city is great as well. Weekends can get a little boring for on-campus life, but with the proximity to Grand Rapids, Detroit, South Bend, Lansing and Chicago day trips are very easy.
If you do not have a car, the city-wide bus system is free for all WMU students so you will not be trapped in your room. Easy bus route from campus direct to Walmart and Meijer and downtown, among others and one-connection routes to other necessities, including the mall.
Kalamazoo is a great city, even though at times it can seem boring (it only gets better after you turn 21 though with fantastic bars). This is my fourth year living here and I plan to stay for a few more, after I graduate.
BTW, the new AirZoo is set for its Grand opening on May 1st, which will be just one more attraction for the area. http://www.airzoo.org/
Macmac76 From United States, joined Sep 2000, 234 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 490 times:
I am highly recommending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. My brother went to school there (Prescott, Arizona campus). He had no trouble getting a job at Continental Express (First Officer on the Brasilia). He was furloughed after 9/11 but now he's a First Officer on the CRJ-200 and CRJ-700 with Skywest Airlines (United Express)...so I would recommend Embry-Riddle!!
FSPilot747 From United States, joined Oct 1999, 3596 posts, RR: 15 Reply 11, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 468 times:
I wish you posted this a few months earlier. You have well enough stats to get into a top university (Berkeley, Michigan ::plugs:: , and some privates (which would cost just as much as ERAU). You could get your ratings and stuff on your own, wouldn't be any more expensive or that much harder, and you'd have a great University education to fall back on.
Just an opinion, anyways, it's already March. Just don't embarrass yourself by becoming a buckeye
Jhooper From United States, joined Dec 2001, 6006 posts, RR: 15 Reply 12, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 455 times:
Whatever you do don't go to A&M(jk Gig em')!! Come to a private university that has its own 4 year Bachelor in Aviation Science and 2 year associates Degree in Pilot Training.
First of all, it's a myth that a degree in aviation gets you ahead of anyone else in the airlines' H.R. department. Practically every real airline pilot I talk to (who doesn't have a vested interest in selling a certain training program) says to get a degree in something else besides aviation as a backup in case you lose your medical, since the airlines don't give a flying rats rear what your degree was in...
All you'll do at a private school is spend a whole lot more money. Getting all your licenses and ratings in 4 years isn't all that impressive anyway; it can be done by your freshman year in college if you do it on your own....
Last year 1,944 New Yorkers saw something and said something.
NormalSpeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 448 times:
"I liked Ohio State the most..."
Somewhere, Alpha 1 is smiling.
Seriously, though. I'm a big fan of "goin' with your gut." Just pick the one that you like the best, and don't look back.
And remember this: As L-188 succinctly stated in a similar thread, airline flying is not necessarily the "end all, be all" of the human flying experience. So make sure you get a good, rounded education. There is a lot of stuff out there that is important besides airplanes.
So major in aviation, if that is what your heart desires--just be sure that there is some room in your schedule for other types of classes (my favorite were the behavioral sciences.) In fact, most of the college degrees that are available are less marketable than aviation, so you might as well focus on something that you find interesting.
And don't get tunnel vision. Remain flexible, and keep yourself open to new options. Airline flying is great, for some folks. Not so much for others. And just because you major in Aviation does not mean that the only career for you in the industry is a professional pilot. That simply is not the case.
NWA From United States, joined Jun 2001, 1200 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (4 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 417 times:
The only thing I will warn you abotu comming up here to Michigan is the crappy weather. I like to fly about 2-3 times a week, and this winter if I got to fly once I was happy. Looks like my X-C solo will be canceld tomorrow morning, and my flight today was as well, weather. Snow, high wind, low clouds, all sucks. Its one of the lowest sunshine states. We do, however, have a lot of airports in the area, and landing at some of them in the winter builds skill. The thing here is, quality wise, is that we all fly about 1/4-1/2 of the year in crap weather. We get the same conditions in the summer as say florida does, but we also get crap to train in. If you train in a warm place, the first time you come to a runway caked in ice...its going to be an expirance. Here we deal with it, I am sure some of the fellow Michigan students and pilots can confirm that with me. Plus, T/O preformance is great, on a nice -10C day, the things climb like mad. Just be ready to be cancled A LOT, so to get your licenses it will take longer, but better expirance. Good luck in your choice.
23 victor, turn right heading 210, maintain 3000 till established, cleared ILS runwy 24.
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From United States, joined May 2001, 303 posts, 
) Granted, they don't have flight program, per se, aside from ROTC, but you'll have a great time! Get a degree in a broad-based subject and get your pilot's license through the Aggie Flying Club or the other flight school out at Easterwood Airport, and pay in-state tuition!
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
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